“War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good.” Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
Each time we experience the reaction to Jonas’ revelation about warfare in Lois Lowry’s The Giver, I am reminded of Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s Nobel Peace Prize 2002 Acceptance Speech that was delivered on December 10 in Oslo, Norway. What is Carter’s argument about war and peace? Based upon his speech, do you think that war can ever lead to lasting peace?
I think that war can never lead to peace because it want solve anything or it want stop.
Are you saying that war won’t solve conflicts?
No I do not think war can ever lead to everlasting peace because the person you go to war with may come back, and want revenge.
Did you read Former President Carter’s lecture? You did not address that in your response.
“War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good.”
I think this mean that some of the wars are evil because wars are dangerous or racist or just don’t like that country. The wars are never good because people die and we the people do not like to die.
I am not sure I understand “or just don’t like that country.” Could you clarify this for your readers? Did you read the lecture by President Carter?
I think there would not be any peace in the wars.
Did you read the article, Zarrie?
I don’t think war could ever lead to everlasting peace because the families without their fathers, brothers, and uncles wouldn’t be living in peace. They would be living in sorrow and grief in the lost of their loved ones.
Well said, India.
I think war is not and is evil. In both parts in life and in history, because its not war that is the true evil. The real evil of war is how people use it for example Hitler a man of evil is the problem not war. His mind turned war into a hated and twisted game. My other example is the civil war Abe Lincoln signed on to this war to make a act of peace and to make the world equal for blacks. Now Jimmy Carter maybe right about something’s, but war is not evil its just the one who uses it in bad ways.
I appreciate your thoughtful response. I think that you are saying that without war, Hitler’s reign of terror may have resulted in more people being victimized in his plot to eliminate the Jews. Slavery in America would have continued to oppress and dehumanize Blacks. These “evils” were halted by warfare. I believe what Carter is suggesting, that even when for a “just” cause, taking a human’s life is also an evil. Yes, as you say, the real evil is how people use it – Hitler purpose was to dominate and destroy. Lincoln’s was to unite a country and free the captive.
I say Jimmy Carter is wrong and that war is never evil unless, the war is for no reason. I believe this saying, “Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.”
-Malcolm X
I also think war is beautiful because once we fight we become friends.
That a very powerful quote, Jacauri. It’s thought provoking, as is the idea that all enemies become friends. I’m not sure that history supports that.
War is an evil because killing period is an evil. War is sometimes necessary, but never right.
I think that war is unnecessary, and a horrible way to solve conflicts because most of the when u solve your conflicts with war or violence you get no where.